The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, has warned that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will take decisive action against any individual or group that attempts to undermine peace and security in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region.
He stressed that Ghana’s peace and stability must be safeguarded at all times, insisting that Nkwanta South must not become a source of insecurity for either the region or the country.
Major General Gbetanu delivered the warning at the closing ceremony of Exercise Starlight Stretch II, a three-week internal security training exercise held in Nkwanta on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
According to him, the military will not tolerate actions that threaten public safety, disrupt peaceful coexistence or destabilise communities.
Exercise Starlight Stretch II is an annual training programme aimed at strengthening the operational readiness, tactical competence and field capabilities of military personnel in responding to emerging security threats.
The exercise featured a range of operational activities, including house-clearing operations, patrols, ambush drills, drone awareness training, cordon-and-search operations, vehicle checkpoint exercises, deliberate defence drills and intelligence-gathering operations.
Major General Gbetanu said the training was built around realistic operational scenarios to prepare troops for the evolving nature of internal security challenges.
He explained that the programme integrates conventional military tactics with internal security and counter-insurgency strategies to equip personnel to respond effectively to a wide range of security threats.
The Army Chief also announced that funding had been secured for the remaining phases of Exercise Starlight Stretch in 2026, adding that operations would continue to focus on Nkwanta South.
He disclosed that additional personnel would be deployed to the municipality to support the achievement of the exercise’s objectives and strengthen efforts to deter potential threats to peace.
Major General Gbetanu commended the officers and soldiers who participated in the exercise for their discipline, resilience and professionalism.
He also praised the trainers, evaluators, safety officers, medical teams and administrative staff for their contributions to the successful execution of the programme.
The Chief of Army Staff urged all personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces to continue upholding the highest standards of discipline and professionalism as they work to protect Ghana’s peace, security and territorial integrity.
